MBRE for Small and Medium Size Enterprises extends registration date for Fifth SME Awards

Notes and media contacts

About Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Size Enterprises:
In September 2009, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai issued Law No.23 of 2009 concerning the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Size Enterprises, recently renamed the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders.

The law defines the goals of the establishment for strengthening Dubai's position as a centre for entrepreneurship and allows for the setting up of projects which encourage entrepreneurship and the innovative ideas of youth. This move seeks to motivate youth to work, as well as to pursue economic activity, such as the development and organisation of programmes and initiatives.

About SME Award:
In 2003 Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Size Enterprises launched a one of its kind program in the UAE and the Arab World, which recognizes young entrepreneurs.

SME Award is supported by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The Award focuses on recognizing distinguished business leaders and organizations that support small and medium sized businesses. SME Award has attracted a lot of media attention. Applications submitted locally and from the Arab World to the fourth edition of the award in 2008 exceeded 50% the number of applications compared to previous years.


About Mashreq:
Mashreq is one of the largest banks in the UAE and the second oldest. Founded in 1967 as Bank of Oman, the bank has played a pioneering role in the industry, particularly in retail banking. Among its many firsts, it was the first to launch such products as travelers' cheques, credit cards and ATMs.

The bank's total assets by the end of June 2009 reached Dhs96.7bn. Mashreq has received numerous international awards such as the Best Bank in the UAE in 2008 from Euro money and various awards particularly for quality management. According to independent research it has more ISO certifications than any bank in the region by a wide margin. It's most recent acknowledgement was Best Consumer Internet Bank in Qatar and Best Consumer Internet Bank regionally by Global Finance Awards 2009.

As a leading financial Institution in the UAE Mashreq aims to be world class in every facet of its business, including its social responsibility to the community it serves. Towards this goal the bank pays particular attention to recruiting, training, developing and retaining UAE National employees.

For more information, please contact:

Nizar Aridi /Wafa Yahya
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
Tel: (+971 4) 334 4550
Fax: (+971 4) 334 4556